Frequently Asked Questions

• WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM?

Military Commands; Veteran's Organizations; Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Agencies/Organizations; family members honoring a deceased military member, law enforcement officer, or firefighter. Other public servants may be considered on a case by case basis depending on availability.

• HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?

Basically, an application is submitted

Eligibility is determined. The eligible applicant will be placed on the list and notified of next step events.

The bell and stand are shipped to the recipient address.

The bell and stand are returned to USNAVYBELLS for maintenance and upkeep or forwarded to the next eligible recipient on the list

For additional information, please review the application/instructions at this link APPLICATION

• HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM?

After reviewing the eligibility requirements, fill out all fields of the form in the link below. APPLICATIONS are available in the attached link.

• IS THERE A PRIORITY FOR RECEIVING THE BELL?

The bell will be loaned out to eligible applicants on a first come first served basis but prioritized as follows: Killed in action/line of duty; Funerals for any military, law enforcement officer, or firefighter followed by all other applicants.

• WHAT IS THE COST TO RECEIVE A LOANER BELL?

The applicant will agree to pay for pre-determined shipping charges to receive and return/forward the bell and stand

Applicant will place a good faith deposit of $250 in order to receive the bell. This deposit will be refunded on return of the bell. If the bell is not returned in the established time frame, $100 of the deposit will be withheld and considered a donation to the loaner bell procurement program.

Applicant may pay a small fee of $15 to add a brass plate honoring the deceased to the bell stand. (Name, Rate/Rank, dates of life, command where the deceased member served). For example, RMCS John D Doe, USS Bell (DD-999) 13OCT1948 - 20NOV2018 or, SGT John D Doe, Georgia Highway Patrol, 20APR1992 - 20NOV2018.

• HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO RECEIVE THE BELL?

That depends on the shipping method selected and in some cases, the reliability of the person/organization presently using the bell. It is our hope to introduce additional bells into the program to fill all requests on time.

• HOW IS PAYMENT MADE?

Payment is made via PayPal invoice. This invoice may be paid via a secure link with any debit/credit card, or your PayPal account if you have one.

• IS THERE A FORMAL BELL CEREMONY?

There is no formal bell tolling ceremony used by the US Navy. An end of watch ceremony is often observed where "8 bells" is struck. A 7 bell funerary toll is also accepted as a traditional service.

• CAN I KEEP THE CEREMONIAL BELL ROPE?

Bell Ropes are available for purchase for $50. Bell Ropes will be provided free of charge to any active duty military or law enforcement officer, or firefighter killed in action or killed in the line of duty.

• HOW DO I RETURN THE BELL?

Pre-printed shipping labels are provided. The bell and stand will be returned in the container it was received in. The bell will be returned within the determined time frame discussed on final acceptance of the application.

• HOW CAN I MAKE A DONATION?

Monetary donations will be accepted for the acquisition of additional bells for our loaner program.

• WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF THE BELL?

The first bell used in our loaner program was donated by Mr. John Kozari to honor his father, Julius Kozari, a long time employee of the Loeffler Corporation. The Loeffler Corporation makes bells that meet military specifications for the US Navy and US Coast Guard as well as domestic shipyards.

Julius Kozari was born in the year 1918 in the village of Alsónemesapáti, Hungary. As a young man his career path lead him to become a coppersmith tradesman. Julius primarily created and repaired copper roofs and gutters for many years, particularly the homes and businesses in the city of Budapest. Unfortunately Julius had to flee his home land with his family during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, coming to America under the ICEM program. Upon arrival to the USA, Julius further educated himself to become a machinist with his already vast knowledge of being a coppersmith. His first career in the US was with Lavelle Aircraft Company in Newtown, PA. He was hired as a machinist working on fabrication of precision aircraft and aerospace parts. His work history with Lavelle lasted from 1957 to 1966. Julius moved from his home in Newtown PA to Langhorne PA in 1966. The moved caused him to seek employment closer to his new home. He finally found a position as a machinist at Loeffler Corporation. Julius took meticulous pride in every product he had machined, especially the bells. From cast to the final polished finished bell which Julius ensured met the MIL-SPEC standards. The rich and loud sound of the bell always made Julius smile. Julius acquired an inventory of bells gifted to him by Joseph Loeffler Sr. for his dedication and hard work over the 25 plus years of this employment. Julius passed away in 2009. His son John acquired his collection of bells from his father’s estate. The bell selected and donated from Julius’s inventory exemplifies the pride, dedication and service Julius provided for his past employer. Nothing more would please Julius knowing his bell would be used with honor to represent the same causes.